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GEORGE CARDWELL; 



OR, 



% gtontjj in a ^auntrg f arhjr 



BY N. D. MORU-AN. 



" But If any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, be hath denied 
the faith and is worse than an infidel."— Tim., v. 8. 




NEW YORK: 

RUSSELL'S AMERICAN STEAM PRINTING HOUSE PRESSES, 

28 30 and 32 Centre Street. 



18 68 

A", 




H &. 8-1 7 6 
•M7 



Entered according to Act ot Congress, in the year 1850, by 

N. D. MOBGAN, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the 
Southern District of New York. 



"The practice of Life Insurance in ant country, indicates a state 
of society where high moral feeling and commercial confidence 
exist."— Jenkin Jones. 



"Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, 

AND HTM THAT HAD NONE TO HELP HIM, THE BLESSING OF HIM THAT WAS 
READY TO PERISH CAME UPON ME ; AND I CAUSED THE WIDOW'S HEART TC 
SING FOR JOT."— Job XXiX. 11, 13. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Aim of the Writer — Want of Information on the subject of Life 
Insurance — Its applicability to the every-day wants of life not appre- 
ciated — Advertisements do not reach the minds of the people — 
Literature of Life Insurance — Price, Pocock, De Morgan — Writers 
Invited to the work — Educate the School-boy. 



CHAPTER I. 

Meeting of Mr. Pendleton and Judge Mason — Sad Information — 
Paying off Mortgage — Death of George Cardwell — Arrangements 
for the Funeral — What Judge Mason thinks of Life Insurance — Was 
George Cardwell's life Insured ? — Rich Estates. 



CHAPTER II. 

Mr. Pendleton leaves the Judge — Mr. Pendleton talks with his 
wife about Insuring his Life — No Encouragement from that quar- 
ter — Mr. Pendleton passes an uneasy night — Determines not to pass 
another such — Goes to the Village, and while there Insures his Life-7- 
Judge Mason and Mr. Goodlove — Practical Christian — Causes 01 
Crime — Remedy. 



CHAPTER III. 

Day of the Funeral — The Church — The Sermon — Mr. Pendleton's 
Secret — Mr. P. u set" in his ways — Burning of his Barn — Running 
in Debt. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER IV. 



House of Mr. Pendleton after the Funeral of George Card well- 
Mrs. Pendleton's consent to an Insurance on the Life of her Hus- 
band — Too late to Disapprove — Mr. Pendleton Insured — Joy of the 
Couple — Happy Evening — Family Devotions — Not Afraid to Die. 



CHAPTER V. 

Keeping an Appointment — The Judge's Library — Words on Life 
Insurance — No New Thing Under the Sun — Cost of Insurance Well 
Thought of — Pious Fraud — Forgiveness — Mr. Pendleton Eloquent — 
Congratulation. 



CHAPTER VI. 

The House of the Widow Cardwell — Character of the Wife o f 
George Cardwell — Responsibility of a Mother — Doing a Duty — 
George Cardwell, at the suggestion of his Wife, Insures his Life — 
Payment of the Policy — Payment of the Mortgage — Money in Bank 
— Happy Family. 



CHAPTER 

Change of Scene— Death-bed of Judge Mason — Family Affairs — 
Nancy Mason — The Orphans — Funeral of the Judge. 



APPENDIX. 

Insurance of the Lives of Clergymen — Crime and its Causes — 
Relief for Widows and Orphans — Bibliographic Catalogue of Works 
on Life Insurance, &c. 



PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. 



It is now ten years since the First Edition of 
several thousand copies of " George Cardwell " was 
published 5 since then the subject, the operations of 
which it was the design of the writer, in a familiar 
manner, to portray, has grown from a comparatively 
small and delicate plant to a great and sturdy oak, 
its roots deep in the soil, and its giant limbs extend- 
ing over the entire land, protecting with their refreshing 
shelter thousands and tens of thousands from the 
scorching and withering blasts of adversity. 

What amount of influence this little work has ex- 
erted in bringing about so desirable a consummation, 
it may be difficult to determine, and to claim that 
it has done anything in that direction, may, to those 
who read this Preface, seem egotistical. But as the 
old saw of "nothing venture, nothing have," is as much 
the property of him who is foolish enough to write 
a book as of anybody else, a claim is ventured that 
it has done something towards educating a certain class 

of minds up to the point of believing that the prae- 

1* 



10 PREFACE. 

tice of Life Insurance is not only not wicked but 
wise, humane and Christian. It may be interesting 
to those who care to know to what " vast propor- 
tions " the system has grown in this country, to ex- 
amine the statistics printed in the Appendix, as also 
some Legislative enactments designed to promote and 
perpetuate the institution. 

The two large editions printed ten years ago have 
long since been exhausted, and constant application 
being made for copies of the work, the author has 
consented to respond to the call, with the single 
object of doing all in his power towards aiding a 
work in which he has been engaged for more than 
a quarter of a century. 



INTRODUCTION. 



In presenting to the public the following pages, it 
has been the sole aim of the writer to render to that 
public a benefit, convinced that if the public mind can 
be directed or induced to consider the importance of 
Life Insurance, hundreds, nay, thousands will be found 
ready and anxious to avail themselves of the safe- 
guard vouchsafed to them by this eminently moral, 
humane, and Christian Institution. 

That more have not already enrolled themselves 
as members of Life Assurance Associations, is because 
the community are not advised of the advantages to 
be derived from such investment 

In those sections of the country where Life Insu- 
rance is now most practised, the subject is but iair 



1 2 INTRODUCTION. 

perfectly understood, and among the most enlightened 

and best educated — those who may be supposed to 

rind the subject scientifically — its applicability 

to ry-day wants of the community is to a 

great; extent unappreciated. 
i 

It is not the fault of the people that they do not 
comprehend the working of a system of which they 
have but scarcely heard. The business cards of the 
several Institutions, which from day to day appear 
in the newspapers, are passed over by the general 
reader as a matter not demanding attention The 
handsomely printed " Prospectus " so extensively cir- 
culated, is looked upon with out little more favor, 
and is cast aside among the thousand and one simi- 
lar documents of an advertising character. 

Life Insurance, however, is not without a litera- 
ture, and however small claim this little effort may 
have to take a place in any department, the writer 
is proud to say that the subject is not unworthy of 
treatment by no mean pen. A Price, a Pocock, a 
De Morgan, and many others, have done much to 



INTRODUCTION. 10 

enlighten the world on this most interesting and all- 
important subject. But their works are of a scien- 
tific character, and wholly unsuited to the wants of 
the general reader The subject, therefore, is in need 
of a literature of a popular character, and it is to 
be hoped that its importance will, at no distant day 
stimulate some friend of humanity to devote the 
talent which he may possess in producing a popular 
treatise here suggested. 

This little volume, of course, makes no pretensions 
in such direction. It is put forth, however, not 
without hope that it may, in the " changes and 
chances," fall upon some patches of " good soil," 
spring up, and bring forth fruit an hundred fold — 
that it may be like the seed of faith, springing 
into a goodly tree, with branches wide-spreading, 
and protecting from the blasts of adversity the 
widows and orphaned sons and daughters of our 
land — that it may be the beginning of a new era, 
and the advent of an extended and systematic adop- 
tion of the principle, that to every man whose in- 



14 INTRODUCTION. 

come depends on his own life or exertions, and on 
whom others are dependent for support, an insurance 
on his life is a paramount duty. 

Let this principle be inculcated in our schools, and 
our sons and daughters who are soon to be fathers 
and mothers, will understand their duty to them- 
selves, their family, their neighbor and their God, 



GEORGE CARDWELL; 



OR, 



% HJoittj) tit a Country |jaris|j 



CHAPTER I. 

It was on a sharp frosty morning in early Novem- 
ber that Mr. Pendleton, with down-cast looks, and 
quick nervous movement, passed up the leaf-covered 
avenue leading to the old family mansion of Judge 
Mason. Approaching the entrance he was accosted 
by the Judge with a frank 

" Good morning, Mr. Pendleton : where have you 
been so early, and why so sober ?" 

" Good morning, Judge : well may you ask, why 
so sober. I am just returning from our neighbor 
Cardwell, who, but an hour since, breathed his last. 
Have you not heard, Judge, of the sad accident which 
occurred yesterday, in the family of our neares/ 
neighbor ? M 



j(5 GEORGE CARD WELL ; OR, 

"Why not a word of it. Pray, what has hap- 
pened ?" 

" Is it possible that you are not informed of the 
terrible circumstance of yesterday? But then I sup- 
pose they were so much occupied with running for 
a Doctor, and such like, they had no time to come 
up here. And, indeed, had I not been passing the 
house at the time, I should probably have been 
as ignorant as yourself, Judge, of the great ca- 
lamity. 

" Not a word of it. — not a word of it. Pray, 
proceed." 

"Well, Judge, you know that Mr. Cardwell was 
about paying off the mortgage on his little place, 
and had called in his money which he had loaned 
out among his neighbors ; I myself owed him three 
hundred dollars, which I paid only last Monday. — 
Well, you know he was about paying off the mort- 
gage—" 

t; Yes, Mr. Pendleton, I was aware of that, — I was 
aware of that. Pray, Mr. Pendleton, go on, — go 
on." 

" Well, he had just packed up his money, and, 
while changing his coat, laid it on the mantle-shelf, 
when, by some accident or other, the package was 
knocked off the shelf into the great blazing fire, and 
in the attempt of Mr. Cardwell, poor fellow, to ex- 
tricate and save his money, he was most awfully 



A MONTH IN A COUNTRY - PARISH. 17 

burned in his hands and wrists, which, after a night 
of agony, caused his death but an hour since." 

" Why, Mr. Pendleton, you pain me beyond mea- 
sure with this sad story. Poor fellow, indeed, — 
poor fellow, indeed, — after having striven for more 
than five years to save up the money to clear his 
little place, to have the fond hopes of his family 
blasted at one fell swoop." 

"Yes, Judge, it's a sad business, indeed. I really 
do not know what will be done by the disconsolate 
widow, who you know, has now six young children, 
and among them no boys old enough to take charge 
of the farm. George is, I believe, only eleven. I 
am sure my heart bleeds for them, but I am almost 
wholly unable to aid them, except with words of en- 
couragement and advice." 

"Truly, Mr. Pendleton, they are in the midst of 
great affliction, and we must do what we can for 
the widow and the orphan, and we must not allow 
our good intentions and sympathy to remain inope- 
rative after the remains of our friend and neighbor 
are placed in the silent grave. When is the funeral 
to take place, Mr. Pendleton V 

" I can't say for certain, but I recommended to- 
morrow, at four o'clock, and I told Mrs. Cardwell 
that I would consult you about it,^-and if you thought 
best it would be fixed for that hour. What is your 
opinion, Judge, about if?" 



IS GEORGE CARDWELL, OR, 

" A very proper hour. Will you attend to the 
arrangements ?" 

Ci Yes, Judge, I will arrange all, if you will take 
upon yourself the seeing Mr. Good love. Mr. Card- 
well, you know, for the sake of his wife's feelings, 
always went to the church, although he himself was 
not a communicant ; — but somehow, Judge, I always 
thought he was at heart a churchman." 

" Very likely ; his father was a churchman, as was 
also his mother a churchwoman, and distinguished for 
her great personal piety. You never knew the Card- 
well family, I take it, Mr. Pendleton. Excellent 
people, — excellent people." 

" No, Judge, my acquaintance with the family ex- 
tends only to that of our departed friend. Speaking 
of Church matters, Judge, did you know whether Mr. 
Cardwell ever insured his life ? You know he was 
very active in securing the insurance on the life of 
our minister, Mr. Goodlove ; of course, you are 
aware of his instrumentality in that matter, for I saw 
your name down for twenty dollars, and although 1 
am not a rich man, and so able to give as some 
others, I was prompted to give half that sum for 
the sake of our good pastor, notwithstanding I knew 
but little of the subject. But I was going to say, 
that the thought has occurred to me, since I left his 
house, that, as Mr. Cardwell had taken so much inte- 
rest in the family of our Rector, perhaps he had 



A MONTH IN A COUNTRY PARISH. 19 

taken the same in his own, and secured a like in- 
surance on his own life." 

" Now you make mention of it, Mr. Pendleton, I 
do remember of his having spoken to me on the 
subject of Life Insurance, asking my opinion regard- 
ing his own case. This was two years since, if I 
remember rightly." 

" Well, Judge, what was your opinion in his case, 
and what is your opinion in my case ? I have been 
thinking about it, and have thought some time I would 
come up and have a talk with you on the subject." 

" What do I think about it ? Why, my good friend, 
I am surprised that any difference of opinion can 
exist on a subject so manifestly advantageous, not only 
to individuals but to the community, — I'm surprised, 
I'm surprised. My experience as a Magistrate, my 
experience as a Probate Judge, has made me fa- 
miliar with the causes of crime and poverty, — or 
rather poverty and crime, — for in nine cases out of 
ten crime follows poverty. What, then, should be 
my opinion of a system which, if universal, would 
banish from our land nine tenths of the crime which 
now engages our courts of law, taxing our people, 
and bringing misery upon the innocent heads of mil- 
lions of the children of the poverty-stricken and de- 
praved? I told Mr. Card well, sir, to lose no time 
in effecting an insurance upon his Jife for a sum at 
least sufficient to pay off* his mortgage, and he told 



20 



me he should do it. He was a man of his word, 
and I shall at once go down and look into it, foi 
I am certain his life was insured. Let me say to 
you, my good friend, that if you are in debt for your 
place, or for anything else, go and insure your life 
for the amount, and for as much more as you can 
safely calculate your ability to meet the annual pre- 
mium. And if it will be any satisfaction to you, I 
will inform you that my own life is insured for a sum 
sufficient to pay for the education of my three grand- 
children, orphans of my son, John Marshall." 

"You surprise me when you tell me your life is 
insured. I should think that a man of your age 
would have to pay so high a rate of premium as 
to render inoperative the alleged advantages of the 
system, — or, that you were possessed of so much of 
the world's goods as to satisfy you, and spare from 
your estate a sum sufficient to endow your grand- 
children with a fortune." 

" Don't be deceived by appearances, Mr. Pendle- 
ton. As I said before, my experience in probate has 
put me in possession of facts in regard to the set- 
tlement of estates, which teach me that little confi- 
dence can be placed in appearances. Many of our 
richest estates in this county it has been my busi- 
ness to close, and but few are found free from en- 
cumbrance of a serious nature. And, as regards my 
age in effecting insurance on my life, rendering the 



A MONTH IN A COUNTRY PARISH. 2) 

advantage less than at a younger age, you must more 
fully understand the system. Time will not allow 
for a full illustration, and we will, with your per- 
mission, postpone the discussion until after the funeral 
of our friend, when I shall be most happy to exhibit 
to you, in my library, numerous works on the sub 
ject, and explain the whole matter to you. And I 
shall be the more happy to do so, because if I pre* 
vail upon you to insure your life, I shall feel con- 
scious of having done you a personal favor, and 
performed a neighborly duty ; and which act of 
duty is certain to be blessed from the very nature 
of the subject, the mutability of all things human, 
growing out of the declaration of God : — ' dust thou 
art, and unto dust shalt thou return.' I shall now 
go down to the Card well's, calling upon Mr. Goocl- 
love on the way. Good morning, — good morning." 

" Good morning, Judge. I shall keep you to jour 
engagement in regard to that Life Insurance busi- 
ness, for I feel that I ought to be insured, and can 
hardly wait to be convinced. Good morning," 



22 GEORGE CAR DWELL ; OH, 



CHAPTER II. 

Mr. Pendleton leaves the Judge, and spends the 
day in preparation for the funeral ; but his mind is 
i]l at ease about that insurance. He talked with 
his wife about it, and she did not give him much 
encouragement. She can't see what right a man has 
to fight Providence ; Mr. Goodlove may explain it, 
but she can't see into it. Poor Mr. Pendleton can't 
sleep for thinking of the hair-breadth escapes he has 
had. Once in the woods chopping, when the tree 
fell so near him as to crush his foot; and the last 
spring, in shingling the barn, what a narrow escape 
that was, — only saved by being caught in the bight 
of the rope used in hoisting up the shingles. Twenty 
times in the course of the night did he start, imagin- 
ing himself falling from some lofty scaffold, or about 
being crushed beneath some giant night-mare; and 
Mr. Pendleton was no coward, but the bravest of 
men. He knew his duty when courage was needed, 
and never shrank from it. He also knew his situa- 
tion in regard to money matters, and he too well 



A MONTH IN A COUNTRY PARISH. 23 

knew what would be the condition of his family, 
should one of the events happen which were crowd- 
ing on his imagination. He determined that another 
such night should not be passed by him, and, al- 
though he did not altogether understand how it work- 
ed, he was determined that in the morning, when 
in the village, (where he had to go for the coffin,) 
he would at once insure his life, and afterwards 
go to the Judge and be "convinced;" "converted," 
said he, "I am already. I am satisfied that it is 
my duty, therefore I have but one way to pursue. 
Curiosity, and a desire for information, may be satis- 
fied at another time." 

In this state of mind Mr. Pendleton started for 
the village, leaving his wife in the meantime to as- 
sist in arranging the house of the mourners. 

Judge Mason, after parting with Mr. Pendleton, as 
before related, called at the Parsonage to see Mr. 
Goodlove, but learned that he had just gone down 
to the Cardwell's, having been informed of the casu- 
alty. The Judge, after taking leave of the wife of 
the kind rector, proceeded to the house of mourn- 
ing, where he found Mr. Goodlove and some two or 
three neighbors. 

After giving some advice regarding the obsequies 
of the next day, he handed his reverend friend into 
his gig, and proceeded to the village, for the pur- 
pose of ascertaining about the insurance, which he 



24 GEORGE cardwell; or, 

felt certain had been effected on the life of his 
friend, George Cardwell. 

The books of the insurance Agency were freely 
shown to the Judge, and the name of George Card- 
well was found duly recorded, insured for Two 
Thousand Dollars, with the premiums all promptly 
paid. 

"Just as I expected." said the Judge, as he hand- 
ed his reverend friend into his gig. "George was a 
sensible, clever man ; I wish there were more like 
him. Then would the hearth of the widow be safe 
from the tread of the Sheriff, and the cry of the or- 
2>han be hushed. A good practical Christian, Mr. 
Goodlove, who provides for his own household." 

"Yes, Judge, I have no reason to find fault with 
our deceased brother. He was a good practical 
Christian, — one who made no ostentatious display of 
piety, but whose works were of an efficient and tell- 
ing nature. But, Judge, I think I detect a double 
meaning to your remark in relation to a c practical 
Christian,' and, if I am right, you do our departed 
friend injustice, for he not only practised Christianity, 
but professed it before men also ; a fact of which 
you are probably not aware, inasmuch as his public 
profession is of but recent date, and took place but 
two weeks since — just previous to your return from 
Europe. 

"Indeed? Then I did do him injustice, and I 



A MONTH IN A COUNTRY PARISH. )lb 

confess to the impeachment of a double meaning ; but 
I did it to draw you out on a point of some con- 
troversy." 

" Well, Judge, let us see. This man who has gone 
to his rest has done, in the act of insuring his life, 
what ? a bad deed ? No. He has insured his life ; 
for that is the point on which this controversy is 
based. He has insured his life for the benefit of 
his widow and orphan children. This has he done 
entirely for the benefit of others, not one particle 
of benefit can possibly inure to himself.* Indeed, 
he deprives himself of many hard-earned dollars every 
year, that he may do good to others. Certainly, 
selfishness has nothing to do in this matter. A more 
unselfish act can hardly be conceived. This act, then, 
is a good one. He has done a good work, a Chris- 
tian deed, Christian because Christ-like, — not from a 
love of Christ, or because the objects of the deed 
are of the ' household of Christ ;' of these things he 
may know nothing. It is enough that he is anxious 
to do good. God has endowed him with intelligence, 
and he has used that intelligence in a work of mercy, 
that great attribute of the Almighty. He has, so far 
as human judgment can determine, saved that family 
from penury, and in doing this has, without doubt. 



* See Appendix. 
2 



26 GEORGE CARDWELL ; OR, 

guarded, if not saved, the younger portion from crime, 
which, in so many instances, follows close on the heels 
of poverty. I say then, that if our friend has used 
that intelligence which God has given him to such a 
result, his work is blessed, and we poor mortals are 
not allowed to judge the result to Jils immortal soul." 
"I understand you, Mr. Goodlove, Mr. Cardwell 
has done his duty to his family, and to the com* 
munity, — all praiseworthy acts, — but, after all, comes 
short of his whole duty, inasmuch as his acts are 
not prompted by the grace of God, and therefore 
are not counted unto him for righteousness." 

" As I said before, we are not allowed to judge 
of the effect upon the soul of ony act of man. Pos- 
sessed of such power or right to judge, works alone 
would be all-sufficient. It is always safe to do well, 
and our constant aim should be to advance in the right 
direction; for in that way, and that alone, can we 
ever reach the goal. The very effort to reach a goal 
is a confession that a goal exists ; and as none will 
exhibit anxiety to obtain other than an agreeable ter- 
mination to their pilgrimage, certainly they must do 
works meet for such result. My views of the whole 
matter may be expressed in this wise. No man 
does a good action, (unalloyed with selfish motives, 
and the good the only object,) without the grace of 
God prompting ; and, therefore, our friend, in insu- 



A MONTH IN A COUNTRY PARISH. 27 

ring his life, did so with these conditions ; ergo, the 
grace of God was operative in his case, as the se- 
quel of his life proves." 

" I agree with you, Mr. Goodlove, touching the 
grace of God prompting to good actions with proper 
motives. It is the devil who prompts to good ac- 
tions from improper motives." 

" Did I understand you to say, that in a majority 
of cases, your experience as a Pastor has confirmed 
you in the belief that crime is the immediate conse- 
quence of poverty ?" 

"I so stated, and such is my firm conviction. Take 
away poverty, and give only competence, and the 
incentives to virtue are increased ninety-fold. What 
is the experience of Mr. Pease, at the Five Points, 
in the city of New- York ? Ask the criminals them- 
selves, located in that hot-bed of iniquity. Did any 
of them jump into crime from a position of com- 
petence ? Take my own parish, here in the virtuous 
1 Rural Districts,' and what is the picture 1 Every 
case of crime under the law has been induced by 
poverty. Intemperance induces poverty, but poverty 
does not always involve crime. We have in our 
own church an ' abundance ' of the poor always with 
us, — noble examples of Christian faith and practice. 
But, Judge, your experience as a Magistrate must 
have afforded you a favorable opportunity for form- 



28 GEORGE CARDWELL ; OR, 

ing an opinion on this important subject of caase and 
effect." 

"Yes, it has, and I freely concur with you, that 
poverty, no matter from what cause, is the great 
parent of crime ; and that the only way to effectually 
stop crime is to stop poverty ; and the best way 
to prevent poverty is by the intelligent and systematic 
use of Life Insurance" 

" I think with you, Judge, that Life Insurance is 
a powerful lever in the great work of ameliorating 
the condition of the people. I am informed that, 
during the two years last past, the enormous sum 
of eleven hundred thousand dollars was paid to widows 
and orphans in the State of New- York alone.* That 
this sum had been the means of keeping alive the 
cheerful blaze on more than five hundred hearth- 
stones, clothing, feeding, and educating more than 
twenty-seven hundred fatherless orphans. By-the-by, 
Judge, should not our excellent friend, Mr. Pendleton, 
insure his life ? I have heard that the repairs on 
his farm-buildings, partially destroyed by fire last 
winter, have involved him in a considerable debt, 
which, should he die, would hazard the possession of 
his farm to his family." 



* S*e Appendix, 



A MONTH IN A COUNTRY PARISH. 29 

" I have this very morning been talking with him 
on the subject, and am to have a further conference 
with him in a day or two, at my house, by special 
appointment." 

"I am very glad to hear it, and trust you may 
convince him of the propriety, nay, duty, of imme- 
diately 4 setting his house in order,' for an event 
which, in the providence of God, may come upon 
him in an hour he thinKS not of." 

Our worthy Pastor, with his learned friend and 
churchwarden, had reached the gate which excluded 
from the glebe the stray cattle which, in the rustic 
village, were suffered to run at large. Mr. Good- 
love alighted, and shaking warmly the hand of Judge 
Mason, the two friends parted : the Parson to his 
study, the Judge to his office, — the Eector to pre- 
pare for the solemnities of the morrow, the Judge 
to devise some plan to benefit his neighbor. 

Judge Mason was a good man, of one of the 
oldest families in the county, and possessed of a 
moderate fortune in his own right, with a life interest 
in the valuable estate on which he resided. He was^ 
full of benevolence and kindly feeling, a firm believer 
in the Christian religion, zealous in works of mercy 
and charity, and never ceasing in efforts to do good 



30 GEORGE OARDWELL ; OR, 



CHAPTER III. 

The day of the funeral found our friends all pre- 
sent at the house of mourning, and at the church. 

The deep-toned organ poured forth a solemn strain, 
as the funeial procession entered the western door, 
and passed up the nave to the open space under 
the chancel arch. 

Fitful streams of colored light played upon the 
vestments of the clergymen as they ascended the 
steps of the chancel ; and when the remains of the 
dead rested in their place, but a few feet from the 
spot where so recently the living man had knelt to 
receive the bread of life, voices from an invisible 
choir was heard to sing, " Lord, let me know my 
end, and the number of my days, that I may be 
certified how long I have to live." 

The sermon was preached by the Rector, who re- 
cited passages in the history of the good man de- 
parted, which showed him a man of deep-seated 
piety, whose every effort was to do his duty in his 
generation, and in the sphere in which it had pleased 
God to place him. 



A MONTH IN A COUNTRY PARISH. 31 

The preacher could not allow the opportunity to 
pass without alluding to the provision which had been 
made by the deceased for the protection of his family 
in the possession of their home ; and in doing so 
could but urge upon all others to go and do 
likewise, — not as a worldly measure would he urge 
it, but as one of far more importance, hazarding, in 
the neglect, the interests of the souls of children, 
and men and women, yet unborn. 

He thanked the people of his parish for the kind 
interest manifested in his own case, in the handsome 
donation to his family of a Policy of Insurance on 
his own life, procured, as he had reason to believe, 
by the instrumentality of his departed parishioner.* 

After the remains of Mr. Card well had been com- 
mitted to the tomb, "dust to dust, ashes to ashes, 
earth to earth," the funeral cortege, as is usual in 
the country, returned to the now lonely home of the 
widow, where the neighbors took kindly leave of the 
afflicted family, and departed for their several homes. 

On the way, Judge Mason accosted our friend Mr. 
Pendleton, and invited him to stop and talk over 
the subject of Life Insurance, as had been previously 
arranged. But Mr. Pendleton was not disposed to 
stop that evening ; his feelings were of too happy a 



* See Appendix. 



32 



nature to allow him to wait. He wanted to hasten 
home, and show to his wife the document by which 
he had secured to her and her little ones a sure 
refuge in the hour of their greatest earthly disaster. 

Mr. Pendleton had, while in the village, effected 
an insurance on his life, and he was not disposed to 
tell the Judge of his hasty action, desiring to appear 
somewhat more circumspect in a transaction of so 
grave a character. He, therefore, kept his secret, 
and, bidding the Judge a good evening, hastened to 
his home. 

Mr. Pendleton was a farmer, who had lived in the 
neighborhood of the Judge some twelve years, having 
purchased and paid for the farm on which he lived. 
He was of strictly temperate and industrious habits, 
of good common education, and a churchman. 

Fond of accumulating property, — not for the sake 
of accumulation only, but for the sake of the good it can 
be made to accomplish, — Mr. Pendleton was a liberal 
man, and deemed it a real privilege to be called 
upon to contribute to objects of charity, and was 
always ready to respond to such calls to the full 
extent of his ability. Mr. Pendleton, however, had 
some faults ; and who has not ? Mr. Pendleton was 
oftentimes " set " in his ways. He never would in- 
sure his house or his barns. He did not believe in 
it. It would do well for careless people. He never 
allowed a lantern to go into his stables ; and as for 



A MONTH IN A COUNTRY PARISH. 33 

the house, he always raked up the fires at night 
himself. 

But, with all his care and caution, his barn did 
get on fire, and his house, too ; and the repairs cost 
him the good bit of two thousand dollars, for which 
he had to run in debt, and mortgage his farm. It 
was well they succeeded in saving the house, with 
but a slight damage ; for had the house been de- 
stroyed, as was the barn, it would have been a bad 
night's job for our farmer. 

Mr. Pendleton was a conscientious man, and would 
not do a thing his conscience forbade ; nor would 
he leave a thing undone, when convinced of the 
propriety of doing it. He was, therefore, an im- 
pulsive man ; and hence his zeal and prompt action 
in effecting an insurance on his life, when once con- 
vinced of his duty in that direction. 

Mr. Pendleton was a kind and provident husband 
and father, and his heart leaped to his throat as he 
stepped into the presence of his wife and children 
on his return from the funeral. 

Mrs. Pendleton, having young children, did not 
accompany her husband to the house of Mrs. Card- 
well, but after the services at the church, had, with 
her eldest son, a lad of about twelve years of age, 
driven directly home. 

2* 



GEORGE CARD WELL *, OR, 



CH A PTER IV. 

c Well, Mr. Pendleton," says Mrs. P., after her 
h lsband had seated himself at the fire, with Mary 
on one knee and little Sammy on the other, " I 
have nothing more to say against your insuring your 
life, for Mr. Goodlove has made it so plainly your 
duty, that I am sure you would not heed it if I 
did continue my objections ; and now, as we have 
been obliged to mortgage our farm to raise money 
to repair the house, and build a new barn, I do 
think we ought, for the sake of our children, try 
and secure ourselves against a calamity which, I pray 
God in his mercy, may be long averted." 

" Yes, my dear," replied Mr. Pendleton, " we are 
all mortals, and the scene of to-day should remind 
us of the shortness and uncertainty of human life, 
and that in the midst of life we are in death ; and 
I am very glad that anything our good minister 
has said has been the means of reconciling you to 
approve of my insuring my life for your own and 
. our children's benefit ; for you know I dislike to 
oppose in anything reasonable. I did oppose you 



A MONTH IN A COUNTRY PARISH. 35 

about the insuring our barn, and the result has been 
disastrous to us. But, as I was saying, I am glad 
you have consented to approve of my insuring my 
life." 

" My dear husband, why do you say approve. I 
am sure I should be very sorry to disapprove of any 
course you, in your superior judgment, deem fit to 
pursue. Why do you use the word approve, hus- 
band ?" 

" It is because I have already done that which it 
is now too late to recommend ; and, therefore, I say 
I am glad you are prepared to approve of my act." 

Tears of affection burst forth from the eyes of our 
hardy farmer, as he pulled from his pocket the great 
sheet of parchment, and displayed it to the wonder- 
ing eyes of his astonished wife. He now recited all 
the circumstances in relation to his " exercise of 
mind " about this insurance ; his talk with the Judge, 
and his appointment for another interview ; how he 
could not wait, &c. ; all of which was very amusing 
to the loving wife. The children had to look at the 
picture of the globe delineated at the top of the docu- 
ment, and asked a hundred questions regarding the 
emblematical devices, and the legends engraved on 
the policy. " What does Finis Coronat Opus mean, 
father ?" asked Granger, a smart lad of ten years. 
M That means, the agent told me, that the end 
crowns the work ; that is, when we do, while we 



36 GEORGE CARDWELL ; OR, 

live, what is proper and right, when we come to 
die, which is our end, then the work we have done 
will be crowned, or be rewarded." They could not 
understand about the talk between papa and mamma, 
nor could they reconcile the smiles of approval of 
their mother with the tears and sobs of their father. 
Poor tilings, they will know all about such matters 
soon enough ! 

Mr. Pendleton was a devout man, and after he 
had carefully placed his newly-acquired treasure in 
his tin box, where he kept his valuable papers, he 
called, as was his custom, his family around him for 
evening devotion. With a heart full of kindly emo- 
tions, and a sense of having done a duty, not only 
to his family but to his God, he committed him- 
self and family through the dark hours of the night 
to the care of an all-seeing and protecting Providence, 
with a prayer that, amid the manifold changes and 
chances of this mortal life, they might be defended 
by His ready help, and that they may always so 
live that they may never be afraid to die. 

The morrow saw our friend Mr. Pendleton on his 
way to the Judge's mansion, with his policy of in- 
surance, feeling more like a man and a Christian 
than he had ever felt before. And why should he 
not? He was not afraid to die! Why should he 
be? 



A MONTH IN A COUNTRY PARISH. 37 



CHAPTER V. 

" Good morning, Judge ; I suppose I'm rather 
early, but I was anxious to have that matter settled 
about that Life Insurance, and so I have come to 
have that talk." 

" Not at all too early ; good morning. I'm glad 
you have come so early, as I am quite at leisure : 
walk into my library,— take a seat by the table, 
while I hand down some books on the subject : you 
know we lawyers like to be backed by authority. 
Are you aware, Mr. Pendleton, that this matter of 
Life Insurance is no new thing under the sun ] 
Here is an old worm-eaten book, nearly a hundred 
years old, three hundred pages, all on the subject of 
Life Insurance." 

" No, Judge ; I was not aware that Life Insurance 
had so remote a beginning. I supposed it was of 
comparative recent origin." 

" No, sir ; it is quite of ancient date, but only 
recently introduced into this country, and made avail- 
able to almost all classes. We will not, however, 



38 GEORGE CARDWELL *, OR, 

at this time, follow its history, but at once proceed 
to the main points, and explain the operation of the 
system, or rather science ; for it is a science, Mr. 
Pendleton, an exact science, depending upon certain 
natural laws, as immutable as death. Able men, — 
men of great skill in mathematics, — have devoted 
their lives to the subject, and the results of their 
investigation is bringing about blessings to thousands 
of families that otherwise would have been sunk in 
poverty and crime. 

" Here is a book which treats of the duration of 
human life, with tables of mortality, showing how 
long men, at every age, live on an average. These 
are the tables by which the premiums for insurance 
are calculated. When we know how long men will 
live on an average, it is easy to tell how much 
money ought be laid aside, or put into a common 
fund, every year, to amount to a certain sum at the 
death of any one of the lives in a community, making 
up the element of common average. In common life 
each person is but an individual, and in that capacity 
cannot tell when he may be called upon to give an 
account of his stewardship. This uncertainty as regards 
the individual is neutralized when many individuals 
are associated for a common object, like that of Life 
Insurance, securing to each atom of the mass an 
equal share of the advantages secured by the whole. 
hi other w r ords, investigation and close research has 



A MONTH IN A COUNTRY PARISH. * 39 

resulted in a knowledge of how long a body of men 
of any given age live on an average, some living a 
shorter time and some longer. We, therefore, know- 
how long they live as a class, and can, from such 
data, safely calculate how much each should contri- 
bute to secure a certain sum at iLe dentil of any 
of that body. A great many ways have been de- 
vised for making available to all classes the great 
advantages of Life Insurance. Some engage to pay 
an annual premium, — this is the most common mode ; 
some pay in one sum, and some in a specific num- 
ber of payments, say five or ten ; some insure by 
depositing a certain sum, with the liberty to with- 
draw all the deposits, and still have a small insu- 
rance left them. 

" I insure my life, and pay the premium in annual 
payments, in cash, as 1 can well spare the money ; 
but some who are engaged in active business, and 
who need all the money they can command in their 
business, and yet are desirous of securing a consider- 
able amount of insurance, pay two thirds of the annual 
premium in cash, and for the other third take a 
loan, which they propose taking up when their busi- 
ness will allow the withdrawal of a portion of 
their active funds. This is a very good plan for such, 
and tends largely to extend the benefits of the system. 

" What is your age, Mr. Pendleton ? Let us see 
how much it will cost you for an insurance on your 



40 GEORGE CARDWELL ; OR, 

life, say for two thousand dollars ; that is the amount, 
I believe, of the mortgage on your farm, and 1 
always think it a good plan to insure for enough to 
pay off the mortgage, — that is, if one has been com- 
pelled to make one, — and thus leave the home clear 
and unencumbered to the wife and children." 

" Well, Judge, I am just forty years old this 
month ; but, Judge, why would it not be a good 
plan to insure for a little more than the mortgage] 55 

" It would, my friend, be a very good plan to do 
so, provided you can meet the premium without 
difficulty. 55 

" Of course, Judge, one must be careful, and not 
cramp himself too much ; but would it not be a 
good plan, when it can be done, to insure for, say 
five hundred dollars more than the mortgage, as that 
would give the family a little ready cash to help in 
settling the estate I 5 ' 

" Well thought of, Mr. Pendleton. I have, as 
Judge of Probate, known several estates suffer great 
loss for the want of five hundred dollars in ready 
money ; and I have known the families of rich men 
positively suffer for the want of a little ready cash, 
just at the time when, although possessed of a large 
property, they could not control it. Well thought 
of, Mr. Pendleton. Now, then, let us see what it 
will cost to insure your life, for when you see how 
little outlay will secure so large a sum as twenty* 



A MONTH IN A COUNTRY PARISH. 41 

five hundred dollars. I am sure you will not hesitate 
say you will insure vour life. Age forty years 

one thousand costs thirty-two dollars ; two thousand . 
sixty-four dollars ; rive hundred, sixteen dollars ; in 
ail, eighty dollars ; just even money. Now. Mr, 
Pendleton, don't you think it best to insure your 
life at onee V 

" Yes. Judge. I do ; and. to prove my sincerity, I 
will thank you to look at this piece of parchment.'' 

" Oh, oh ! my friend, a pious fraud. First go 
and do as your conscience dictates, and then come 
and get my opinion. I have half a mind to charge 
you a legal fee ! But. seriously. Mr. Pendleton, I 
am gratified, for I see it is of recent date — "but 
yesterday. ; If 'twere done when 'tis done, the a 
'twere well it were done quickly, 1 I see is your 
motto.' 5 

" Yes. Judge, that is my motto ; and I have acted 
upon it. I never let the grass grow under my feet 
when I have a duty to perform. The quiet sleep 
of last night, and the joy I now feel, have quite 
compensated me for the cost of that policy, I feel 
that I have recovered my youth, and taken a new 
lease of life ; and now, so far as my wife and 
children are concerned, as regards the possession of 
the farm, I have no fear of the ;i pestilence that 
walketh in darkness, nor for the sickness that de- 
stroy eth at noon-day. 1 My hand is nerved for re~ 



42 GEORGE CARDWELL ; OR, 

newed action. I can face difficulties with a good 
courage, and sing lustily for the very joy of my 
heart." 

" My good friend, you are eloquent ; it does my 
heart good to listen to you. I forgive you for the 
fraud practised on me, and wish you joy in your 
new acquisition !" 

" Acquisition you may well call it, Judge, for I 
esteem my policy to all intents and purposes as good 
as so much money in the Savings Bank, — perhaps 
better. If I had so much money in the Bank I 
might be tempted to use it in some inviting specu- 
lation, and hazard every dollar. And, although I am 
not of a speculative turn of mind, I must confess I 
have been sorely tempted to get a living in some 
easier mode than working our rocky soil, and have 
often wished I had a few hundred dollars to try my 
hand at some speculation. Now, with this Policy of 
Insurance, the craving speculating demon is kept 
down. Time, that important element of accumula- 
tion, is gained. We don't hasten to get rich, but 
are satisfied with well-doing — knowing that in time 
we shall surely accumulate if we faint not. By this 
Policy of Insurance I am assured of time ; I am 
not assured of my life, — the title is a misnomer. It 
should be called a Time Insurance Policy ; for it 
guarantees to my family the time necessary to acquire 
a competency — for should God, in his wisdom, no* 



A MONTH IN A COUNTRY PARISH. 43 

allow me the time to accomplish certain ends, He has 
endowed me with a mind to appreciate, and a will 
to procure for my family an equivalent compensation 
for that time in the Policy of Assurance on my time 
of this mortal pilgrimage. Take away, Judge, this 
zeal to get rich fast, and the risks in business would 
in most cases cease. The great wealth of the few, 
and the poverty of the masses, would, to a great 
extent, be modified. Prudence and thrift would every- 
where be seen, and the world would be wiser and 
better." 

" Without doubt, Mr. Pendleton, such would be 
the result of a general and systematic adoption of 
the benefits of the institution of Life Insurance. 
Would that all could take the enlarged and human- 
izing view of the subject that you do. You came 
here to be taught of me. Surely, sir, I am the 
pupil, and you the teacher. The science, sir, I may 
understand, but the application of that science to the 
every-day wants of man, as we find them, I confess 
I have yet to learn. You, sir, speak as by inspi- 
ration." 

" Inspiration ! the subject is a holy one, and cal- 
culated to infuse a holy fire in the heart and soul 
of all who have the true heart of flesh. To the 
stony heart, and him who careth not for his own — 
he who is denounced as worse than an infidel — for 
such it hath no charms ; on the hearts of such it 



44 GEORGE CARDWELL J OR, 

hath no potency. God grant that the great sin of 
the parent may not be visited upon the children. 1 ' 

" Amen." 

" Good morning, Judge." 

" Good morning, my good friend," 

The man of law and the farmer parted, each in a 
happy frame of mind, and each determined to make 
a new effort for the furtherance of the good work 
of Life Insurance. 

And what good can every man accomplish with 
but a little effort. All men have more or less in- 
fluence, and if each would but exert that influence on 
but one person in this direction, what vast numbers 
would flock to the insurance offices, and how num- 
berless would be the blessings invoked upon the 
heads of those who were instrumental in urging to a 
consummation these numerous insurances. What oceans 
of tears would be saved to the widowed mother ! 
What a world of anguish would be assuaged ! What 
songs of joy would go forth from the dwellings of 
the land ! What rejoicing among the angels of heaven 
for the virtue guaranteed tc the sons and daughter s 
of the earth ! 



A MONTH IN A COUNTRY PARISH. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Let us now look in at the house of the widowed 
mother, but not with idle curiosity. Grief is a holy 
thing, and to mourn for those we have loved is to 
be esteemed a privilege. Say not to the crushed 
heart, " Do not weep." The grave of Lazarus was 
wet with the tears of the " Prince of the House 
of David." Weep, therefore, daughters of sorrow, 
else would your hearts burst, and your life be crushed 
beneath its load of anguish. 

Mrs. Cardwell is just such a woman as such a 
husband as George Cardwell would be supposed to 
have for a wife. Affectionate and confiding, and 
wholly devoted to the welfare of her husband and 
children, the sudden blow which had come upon her 
had well nigh extinguished her earthly light r and her 
sorrow was of the deepest shade. But her sorrow 
^as not as of one without hope, foi as the six feet 
of solid earth which her kind neighbors had the day 



4A> GEORGE CARDWELL ; OR, 

previous gently cast upon the body of her husband , 
was but as crystal to her eyes of love, so her eyes 
of faith saw far off in the starry heavens the dis- 
embodied spirit of the father of her children. 

Mrs. Cardwell was a well educated and exceedingly 
intelligent woman, of excellent judgment, and of deep 
religious feeling, and without doubt exerted no little 
influence on the mind of her late husband. George 
Cardwell was not a man to despise the counsel of 
his wife ; and the more so, inasmuch as his wife 
was not a woman who attempted to control or urge 
a measure not sustained by good sound sense, and 
made plain and irresistible by a happy and affec- 
tionate manner. 

It was Mrs. Cardwell who first suggested the sub- 
ject of an insurance on the life of her husband. Not 
until she had well considered the matter in all its 
bearings did she broach the subject. Her own father 
had an insurance on his life ;, and when she was left 
fatherless, her education depended mainly on the in- 
come derived from that source. But what will he 
think should I suggest such a thing ? Will he think 
I am selfish, and desire it for my own sake ? Oh ! 
that he would but suggest it to me, and relieve me 
of a painful duty. Yes, duty. But, then, men have 
so much to occupy their attention, and so little 
time to think of such things, that it's no wonder he 
does not think of it. Is it my duty to speak to 



A MONTH IK A COUNTRY PARISH. 47 

liim ? If it is, why should I hesitate ? Do 1 do 
my husband justice in thus procrastinating and putting 
in jeopardy every day the welfare of our dear chil- 
dren ? Do I not but illy appreciate his love for me 
and these little ones in thus fearing to speak to him, 
who has never refused compliance with a reasonable 
request ?" 

These and many other such reflections were, for a 
long time, passing in the mind of Mrs. Cardwell ; 
but such a mind could not always resist the urgings 
of duty. 

Mr. Cardwell received the proposition with great 
deference for the opinions of his wife, and gave the 
subject such thought as a solid, sensible man should 
bestow upon any business matter. The result was, 
that lie effected an insurance on his life, as has been 
found by the Judge ; and more, he felt under a load 
of obligations to his wife for the performance of her 
duty ; though he felt -like scolding her for a want 
of promptness in not earlier urging the measure which, 
since its consummation, had furnished him with so 
much consolation. 

Three weeks has now passed since the grave closed 
over the remains of George Cardwell. 

One sheet of fleecy snow has rested on the little 
mound in the distant churchyard. 

The widow has just returned from the village, 
where she has been for the purpose of receiving the 



48 GEORGE CARDWELL ; OR, 

money for the insurance on the life of her departed 
husband, and of paying oft' the mortgage on her 
farm. 

What a day of grief has this been to the late 
happy wife, and yet not entirely without relief to 
the stricken heart of Lucy Cardwell. She was too 
well schooled in her religious duty and faith to 
think that the trials she was now passing through 
were other than for good. The memory of her de- 
parted husband was sweet ; and as he, in his time, 
had done so much to provide for those he left be- 
hind, what pleasure would she not experience in 
carrying out his designs. 

Judge Mason had accompanied Mrs. Cardwell to 
the village, and lent his aid in settling the policy of 
insurance and obtaining a proper satisfaction of the 
mortgage ; and when he put the widow down at her 
door, from his own gig, she not only had a clean 
deed of the farm but a certificate of deposit for 
twelve hundred dollars. 

This sum, although small, was quite sufficient for 
all their purposes. With a small but good farm, 
free from encumbrance of any kind, and with money 
at interest, this little family are as comfortably oft 
as possible. 

The mother, possessed of an education beyond the 
common grade, does much to aid her children in their 
lessons. 



A MONTH IN A COUNTRY PARISH. 49 

George is past eleven years old, and does a great 
deal towards assisting his mother in the affairs of 
the farm, which, by-the-by, needs at this season but 
little attention, everything having been but recently 
put into winter quarters with great care by his 
father. 

Sarah, a girl nine years old, is of service in-doors, 
in aiding her mother in the care of her younger 
brothers and sisters. 

An air of Christian resignation is manifest through- 
out the well-ordered household, which tells, far more 
emphatically than words, of that peace of mind 
which a conscientious performance of duty always en- 
genders. 

3 



50 GEORGE CARD WELL ; OR, 



CH APTER VII. 

We should have been pleased to close our month 
in the country in the quiet home of the Widow 
Cardwell, but the faithful historian of the events of 
this short period must needs leave that comparatively- 
humble dwelling, and look in upon the group which 
surrounds the couch of that good friend of every- 
body, Judge Mason. 

The Judge had, for some two years, been a great 
sufferer from a diseased liver. He had but recently 
returned from a visit to Europe, undertaken for the 
benefit of his health, having experienced great benefit 
from travel, and, as was supposed by himself and 
his physician, an entire restoration to his wonted 
health. 

Unusual exposure, during one of his visits to an 
indigent neighbor, had resulted in a vigorous attack 
of his former disease, under which he rapidly sank, 
and, after an illness of three days, terminated his 
career of usefulness on earth, to the great loss of 



A MONTH IN A COUNTRY PARISH. 5] 

all his neighbors, and especially to those who needed 
his counsel and kind words of encouragement. 

Judge Mason was a widower, with one daughter 
and three grand-children — two boys and one girl — 
orphan children of his son, John Marshall Mason. 

As has been before stated, he was possessed of a 
moderate fortune in his own right, with a life-interest 
in the estate on which he resided ; which estate fell 
to his daughter, now a maiden lady of fifty, who, 
also,, was in the receipt of an annuity of some eight 
hundred dollars from the North America Life Insurance 
Company of New York, settled upon her by her 
father, when he had good reason to suppose she had 
reached her highest point of attraction, without having 
conquered a solitary heart. Nancy Mason was better 
than she looked ; and, notwithstanding her lack of 
personal beauty, she was loved by all her neighbors, 
amoug whom she spent much of her time, when not 
engaged with her orphan charge at home, in works of 
love and charity ; a fit daughter of such a sire. 

In the will of Judge Mason he gave to his three 
graod-children all his personal estate, amounting to 
some thirty thousand dollars, and two policies of in- 
surance on his life for ten thousand dollars each ; 
and to the parish school the proceeds of another 
policy for five thousand dollars. 

Thus ended a long life of usefulness and Christian 
benevolence. The same organ whose solemn peal 



52 GEORGE cardwell; or, 

shook the atmosphere of the village church but one 
month ago, as the funeral procession entered its doors 
with the body of George Cardwell, the humble former, 
gave forth now the same sound. The same invisible 
choir were heard to chant the same words ; and the 
words, " dust to dust, ashes to ashes, earth to earth," 
are followed with the same mingling of elements at 
the obsequies of Judge Mason. 

" Our mother, the Church, hath never a child 

To honor before the rest, 
But she singeth the same for mighty kings 

And the veriest babe on her breast ; 
And the bishop goes down to his narrow bed 

As the ploughman's child is laid, 
And alike she blesseth the dark-browed serf 

And the chief in his robe arrayed." 



APPENDIX. 



The idea of governmental fostering set forth, 
in the preceding work, is but an instance of how 
a disposition on the part of legislators to throw 
around the dependent widow and orphan the 
warm and protecting mantle of Life Insurance, 
could be made advantageous. 

The British Government, in order to promote 
thrift among the industrial classes, issue policies 
of insurance in sums not exceeding £100 on a 
single life. It also grants annuities for a lim- 
ited amount not exceeding £50 on one life. 
These insurances are effected through the me- 
dium of the post-office department, and the system 
is conducted in the most economical manner. In 
France, also, a similar system is about being put in 
operation. 

The advantage derived from this system of 
Government Life Insurance is simply security — 
that security which all governments are supposed 
to afford to those who accept their bonds or other 
evidences of indebtedness, 



54 APPENDIX. 

The plan is deficient in one important element, 
namely, allowing to the assured, in addition to 
the sum insured, the gains or profits derived 
from judicious investment of the money premium 
and the contingent profits incident to an ex- 
tended business. All the profits, if any, enure to 
the Government. 

Now, if a system of governmental supervision 
of the business, coupled with Government custody 
of the funds of Life Insurance Companies, or so 
much thereof as will always insure the full perform- 
ance of all the contracts of such companies, would 
not the true idea of Governmental interposition 
be realized? And further, would it not be well, 
as suggested in the text, that laws should be 
made, granting to all who should hold policies 
recognized by the State, secured by special pledge, 
certain immunities from taxation and exemption 
from attachment in behalf of creditors ? The 
great and primary object of Life Insurance is 
the protection of the family from poverty and 
dependence. It is the business of the State to 
promote the common interests of the people 
Those measures which tend to thrift in a nation, 
as a natural consequence, serve to prevent poverty 
and crime, and thus the fostering and paternal 
care of the State is rewarded by the love, virtue, 



APPENDIX. 55 

and loyalty of the people. It is, to be sure, a 
grave question, as to how far a State shall lend 
its aid to the people in any matters of mere 
business. For this reason, the State rarely en- 
ters into any undertaking where individual en- 
terprise and capital can compass the venture. 
Only in great works of internal improvement, such 
as constructing roads and canals for the use of 
the people, may it be said the State is called 
upon to act. Further than this, in direct acts, 
engaging in the traffic of the country, the State 
may hardly go. In furtherance of commercial 
enterprises, mining and manufacturing interests, 
demanding large capital for the successful pro- 
secution of the business, the State is properly 
asked to create artificial persons, called corpora- 
tions, investing them with certain defined, func- 
tions, which enables them to do that which an 
individual in his natural condition could not do, 
or if he could, would not be willing to do, as 
hazarding too greatly his individual fortune in a 
single enterprise or venture. 

For this reason, Life Insurance Companies are 
created. Some, with capital subscribed by various 
persons with an expectation of profitable divi- 
dends derived from the earnings of the company. 
Some, without capital, being organized upon the 



56 APPENDIX. 

mutual system, with a view of distributing among 
the members (who are the insured), such gains 
as may be realized from the business. By means 
of such corporations the business of Life Insur- 
ance is conducted; and, should Government ex- 
ercise suitable supervision in the management of 
them, requiring, as in the case of the National 
Bank system of the United States, that they 
should issue no obligation in the shape of policies 
on life, or annuity bonds, without depositing with 
the Secretary of the Treasury, or some other 
financial officer of the Government, duly author- 
ized to hold such deposits, such a sum of sound 
securities as would always protect from loss 
or disappointment the lawful holders of such 
policy and annuity obligations, then would the 
idea of government insurance be realized, and 
the full functions of civilized government be 
exercised in this particular. The people under- 
standing this as they now do the security afford- 
ed in the National Banking system, would rap- 
idly embrace the beneficent advantages of Life 
Insurance ; and, ere many years had passed away, 
few, who were not absolute paupers, would be 
found without the safeguard of a Life Insurance 
Policy. 

That the reader may know what has already 



APPENDIX. 57 

been done by way of legislation in this respect, 
the subjoined is given : 

The following legislative enactments ■ regarding 
Life Insurance were made by the Legislature of 
the State of New York, during the Session of 
1866, and strikingly illustrate the disposition of 
the public mind to foster and protect the inter- 
ests of all who may seek pecuniary protection 
for their families by the instrumentality of Life 
Insurance. The act exempting from claim, by 
creditors of the husband, the amount of a policy 
issued in behalf of the wife, or wife and chil- 
dren, or the children, in the event of the death 
of the wife before the decease of the husband, 
is a most liberal provision, and, were the law 
more extensively known, would be more appre- 
ciated. So, also, is the act authorizing Special 
Deposits of Government Securities in the Insur- 
ance Department one of the first importance, as 
rendering absolutely secure all the money paid 
by the provident husband and parent. 

This system of governmental supervision, guar- 
anteeing the obligations of Life Insurance Compa- 
nies, is a desideratum long hoped for, but until 
now never accomplished. In England, where Life 
Insurance is more generally practised than else- 
where, attempts have been made to induce Par- 



58 APPENDIX. 

liament to enact similar laws, bat owing to the 
opposition of those Companies who were unwill- 
ing to submit to the requisitions of the Govern - 
ment Actuary, the measure was defeated. The 
work was left for the Legislature of the State 
of New York to authorize. No longer need dis- 
trust and doubt hinder those who would seek 
security for their families by means of Life In- 
surance, or those who, possessing a moderate 
share of property, would, by means of an An- 
nuity, secure the largest possible revenue while 
they shall live, or have capacity to enjoy the 
advantages of any income. 



AN ACT 

TO AUTHORIZE THE IS T 0RTH AMERICA LIFE INSUR- 
ANCE COMPANY TO MAKE SPECIAL DEPOSITS OF 
SECURITIES IN THE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT. 

The people of the State of New York, represented in 
Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: 

Section 1. The North America Life Insur- 
ance Company may deposit in the Insurance 
Department, securities now authorized by law to 
be deposited by Life Insurance Companies in that 
Department, to any amount not less than twenty- 



APPENDIX, 



59 



five thousand dollars, for the purposes hereinafter 
mentioned. 

Sec. 2. Whenever the said Company shall le- 
gally transfer to the Superintendent of the Insur- 
ance Department any amount of said securities, not 
less than twenty-five thousand dollars, he shall is- 
sue to the said Company registered policies of in- 
surance, or annuity bonds, of such denominations 
or amounts as the said Company may require. 
Such policies and annuity bonds shall bear upon 
their face the words, "Secured by pledge of 
public stocks or bonds and mortgages," with 
the seal of the said Department, and shall be 
countersigned by the Superintendent or his au- 
thorized Deputy. 

Sec. 3. The said Superintendent shall, on de- 
livering said registered policies or annuity bonds 
to said Company, charge to said Company the 
amount of the net present value of such policies 
or annuity bonds, valued by the Carlisle table of 
mortality, with interest at five per centum per an- 
num, according to the amount and number of pre- 
miums paid thereon and the terms thereof; but 
in no case shall the amount of such value exceed 
in the aggregate the amount of the securities de- 
posited under the provisions of this act. On the 



60 APPENDIX. 

first day of January and July of each and every 
year, or within thirty days thereafter, the said 
Company shall make a return to the Superinten- 
dent of the Insurance Department, under oath of 
the President and Actuary, of the exact condi- 
tion of the premium account of the registered 
policies received from the said department, and 
shall deposit with the said Superintendent addi- 
tional and similar securities, to an amount equal 
to any increase of value of the policies heretofore 
issued, and which shall remain in force, valued 
by the same rule as upon the issue thereof; and 
the securities thus from time to time deposited 
shall be held by the Superintendent in trust, un- 
til the obligations of the said North America 
Life Insurance Company, under said registered 
policies and annuity bonds shall, to the satis- 
faction of the said Superintendent, be fully liqui- 
dated, cancelled or annulled. 

Sec. 4. The said Company may at any time 
withdraw any excess of securities above the net 
present value hereinbefore specified, upon satisfy- 
ing the said Superintendent by written proof, to 
be filed in the said Department, that such excess 
exists; and shall be allowed to receive the inter- 
est qn all securities deposited, and to exchange 



APPENDIX. 61 

such securities by substituting other securities, as 
now provided by the acts in relation to Life and 
Health Insurance Companies and the amendments 
thereto. 

Sec. 5. The said Company shall deliver to the 
Superintendent of the Insurance Department the 
policy and annuity bonds, engraved and printed, 
or printed and written, in such manner as the 
said Department shall direct. On their receipt 
by the Superintendent, he shall cause them to be 
duly registered, in proper books kept for that 
purpose, in consecutive numbers, corresponding to 
the numbers on said policies and bonds; shall 
cause his name, or the name of his Deputy, to 
be inscribed on the policies and bonds, and affix 
the seal of the Department to the same, and shall 
return them to the said Company. The expenses 
necessarily incurred in registering, countersigning, 
and sealing the said policies and annuity bonds, 
and in otherwise executing the provisions of this 
act, shall be audited and settled by the said Su- 
perintendent, and paid out of any moneys in the 
Treasury not otherwise appropriated ; and, for the 
purpose of re-imbursing the same, the said Super- 
intendent is hereby authorized to charge against 
the said Company an amount sufficient for such 



62 APPENDIX. 

purpose, and as may be just and reasonable. It 
shall be the duty of the said Superintendent to 
receive mutilated policies and annuity bonds issued 
to the said Company, and deliver in lieu thereof 
other policies and bonds of like tenor and date. 

Sec. 6. This act shall take effect immediately. 



The People of the State of New York, represented 
in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: 

Sec. 1. It shall be lawful for any married 
woman, by herself and in her name, or in the 
name of any third person, with his assent, as her 
trustee, to cause to be insured, for her sole use, 
the life of her husband, for any definite period, 
or for the term of his natural life ; and in case 
of her surviving such period or terms, the sum 
or net amount of the insurance becoming due 
and payable by the terms of the insurance shall 
be payable to her, to and for her own use, free 
from the claims of the representatives of the hus- 
band, or any of his creditors ; but such exemp- 
tion shall not apply where the amount of pre- 
mium annually paid out of the funds or property 
of the husband shall exceed three hundred dol* 
lars. 



APPENDIX. 



63 



Sec. 2. The amount of the insurance may be 
made payable, in case of the death of the wife 
before the period at which it becomes due, to her 
husband, or to his, her or their children, for 
their use, as shall be provided in the policy of 
insurance, and to their guardian, if under age. 

Sec. 3. This act shall take effect immediately. 

Statistics of the Life Insurance Companies doing Business in the State 
of New TorJc, as returned to the Superintendent of the Insurance 
Department, for 1866: 

NEW YORK STATE COMPANIES. 





o 

O 


No. of 


Amount of 


Premium 

received. 






Year. 





Policies 
in force. 


Policies 
in force. 


Losses paid. 


Gross Assets. 


1859.. 


8 


23,690 


$72,197,436 32 


$2,013,376 84 


$759,388 41 $11,629,085 31 


I860.. 


11 


27,140 


85,371,499 67 


2,436,186 07 


764,403 11 


13,745,559 82 


1881.. 


11 


28,446 


86,134,147 29 


2,580,166 77 


793,834 20 


15,010,497 49 


1862.. 


13 


35,453 


101,474,077 46 


3,166.119 30 


957,100 05 


17,457,909 58 


1863.. 


13 


49,831 


140,628,427 10 


4,453,607 49 


1,326,056 06 


20,262,505 83 


1864.. 


17 


70,429 


194,819,324 45 


6,273,021 36 


1,673,274 35 


26,074,191 01 


1865.. 


18 


101,780 


289,846.316 50 


10,479,403 03 


2,152,600 78 


33,230,840 00 


1866.. 


24 


151,662 


437,556,780 47 


17,342,923 73 


3,250,355 60 


47,217,087 81 



COMPANIES OF OTHER STATES. 



1859.. 
I860.. 
1861.. 
1862.. 
1863.. 
1864.. 
1865.. 
1866.. 



6 


25,918 


6 


28,906 


6 


28,756 


5 


29,799 


9 


48,284 


10 


76,300 


12 


107,612 


15 


153,728 



69,300,541 50 
78,331,955 64 
78,121,905 15 
82,488,499 97 
127,030,250 12 
200,883,730 32 
291,035,836 96 
427,549,096 77 



1,956,748 12 
2,334,160 71 
2,333,223 79 
2,576,327 96 
4,040,361 72 
6,908,953 46 
11,091,702 91 
18,854,674 59 



628,282 27 

674,175 37 

741,957 24 

783,194 50 

1,164,561 73 

1,593,450 48 

2,151,416 81 

3,173,312 75 



8,906,999 27 
10,370,127 03 
11,659,899 55 
12,665,422 17 
17,575,684 27 
22,953,106 39 
31,001,283 24 
44,369,940 16 



COMPANIES OF THIS STATE AND OTHER STATES COMBINED. 



1859.. 


14 


49,617 


I860.. 


17 


56,046 


1861.. 


17 


57,202 


1862.. 


18 


65,252 


1863.. 


22 


99,095 


1864.. 


27 


146,729 


1865.. 


30 


209,392 


1866.. 


39 


305,390 



141.497, 
163,703, 
134,256, 
183,962, 
267,658, 
395,703, 
580,882, 
865,105, 



977 82 


455 31 


052 44 


577 43 


677 22 


,054 77 


,253 46 


,877 24 



3,970, 
4,770, 
4,913. 
5,742, 
8,493 
13,181 
21,571 



124 96 


346 78 


390 56 


447 26 


969 21 


974 82 


105 94 


598 32 



1,388,170 
1,438,578 
1,535,791 
1,740,294 
2,490,617 
3,266,724 
4,304,017 
6,423,668 



20,536,084 58 
24,115,686 85 
26,670,397 04 
30,123,331 75 
37,838,190 10 
49,027,297 40 
64,232,123 24 
91,587,027 97 



INSURANCE OF THE LIVES OF CLERGYMEN. 



The insurance of the lives of clergymen, by 
their people, is a s abject demanding earnest atten- 
tion. It should be the uniform and settled policy 
of every congregation of Christian worshippers, 
when they have installed over them a minister, 
to insure his life for the benefit of his family. 
The cost is but little, and should be cheerfully 
borne by the people. He preaches but to little 
effect ivho does not soon make his people understand 
their duty in this respect It is useless for him to 
endeavor to teach them, that it is " ordained that 
they who preach the Gospel should live of the 
Gospel." The Committee of Convention of the 
Protestant Episcopal Church, in the Diocese of 
New York, having the matter of Parochial Sup- 
port in charge, in their report, recommended an 
adoption of a measure having in view the insur- 
ance on the lives of the rectors. This is as it 
should be, and especially as the Canons of the 
Church forbid secular employment to its clergy. 

6i 



OPINIONS 

OF 

SWDBRWtNVUS, atf iJ»IS Ml) fit IPU88 

UPON THE 
NEW AND DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF THE 

North America Life Insurance Co. 

OFFICE, 229 BFLO^-D-Vy^.?-. 
LIBERAL. MUTUAL. JUST. 



ffortjr &mmta fife Ittsrawttt Compnj. 

It is generally conceded that the North America takes 
the lead of other Life Insurance Companies. The reforms and 
improvements originating with its President, N. D. Morgan, 
Esq., and introduced by him into the vital system of Life In* 
surance, are such as entitle him to the gratitude of all insur- 
ers, and the eminent success which has attended their opera* 
tion will perpetuate the fame of his Company, and promote, to 
a degree it is impossible to estimate, the permanent interests 
and utility of Life Insurance itself. 

In an institution in which men are compelled to trust im- 
plicitly, even though the future of those nearest and dearest 
depend wholly upon its integrity, infallible security is the prime 
and indispensable requisite. This infallible security the North 
America has been the first Company to furnish. With it origi- 
nated the Special Deposit Act, now a law of the State, which' 

65 



()6 APPENDIX. 

enables the Company to issue to the insured registered policies 
countersigned by the Superintendent of the Insurance Depart- 
ment, certifying that they are secured by pledge of public stocks 
deposited with him, and to be held by him till the policies or 
annuity bonds thus registered are fully liquidated and annulled. 
This act places the key-stone in the arch of Life Insurance 
security, and readers it immovable and perfect. The provident 
husband and father, anxious to respond worthily to the trust 
reposed in him, who insures his life to protect his wife and little 
ones from the want and lasting woe that his death might other- 
wise at any moment bring upon them, may now, by means of 
the enactment, obtain that inevitable certainty of the fulfilment 
of the Company's engagement with him, which will warrant 
him in dismissing from his mind for ever all solicitude or doubt 
upon the subject. This complete confidence will perhaps prove 
as great a gain to Life Insurance as it has ever received since 
its first establishment. 

Hitherto, Life Insurance has been an untrammelled benefit 
only to persons who vegetated on one spot or locality; but to 
those who possess the great American characteristic, locomo- 
tion, it has proved a constant source of uneasiness, trouble, and 
oxtra expense. The insured could not travel, change his abode, 
make a holiday tour, or respond to a business call beyond 
certain prescribed limits, without paying extra charges or in- 
validating his policy. The consequence was, that he lost the 
glorious sense of personal freedom, and felt himself to be the 
property, the chattel, the slave of the Company. Upon this 
irksome system the North America has made a bold innova- 
tion. It has, with its usual original liberality, relieved the in- 
sured from such oppression by abolishing the obnoxious re- 
strictions, and allowing its policy-holders to travel or reside 
abroad, outside of the tropics, at any season of the year 



APPENDIX. 67 

This concession had proved most welcome, and equivalent, to 
the insured, to manumission or a declaration of independence. 

Where any benefit could be discovered, invented, or conferred 
on the policy-holder, the North America has been the first 
to improve the occasion ; and other Companies have followed 
in its wake. Life Insurance, like the caste system in Hin- 
dostan, has heretofore rigidly insisted that no man should 
change his employment. A violation of this regulation was 
visited with a pecuniary penalty or the loss of policy. The 
North America has also abolished this tyranny, and after the 
issue of a policy, charges no higher rate of premium in conse- 
quence of the change of employment. — Insurance Monitor, May, 
1867. 

The new system of registering Life Policies initiated by the 
North America Life Insurance Company, on the 11th day of 
July, 1866, has met with great success in the first year of 
its introduction to the public. The registry system combines 
the advantages of individual and corporate enterprise with 
governmental custody, supervision and guardianship of funds. 
In many localities not familiar with the status and standing 
of companies or of their officers, parties can sometimes effectu- 
ate their purposes more satisfactorily by the registration of 
their policies, thereby compelling a company to deposit, in ad- 
dition to its general deposit of $100,000 made by all com- 
panies, a further special amount equal at all times to the 
net present value or re-insurance fund of such policies. — From 
Report of Superintendent of Insurance Department of State of 
New York, 1867. 

In several respects, the North America is an office which 
stands conspicuous among the body of life companies, and es- 
5* 



68 APPENDIX, 

pecially for its progressive features. "Without being radically 
revolutionary in its tendencies, it has been strongly in earnest 
to advance and liberalize the system, and the reforms it has 
introduced have the great merit of adding to the utility of life 
insurance. 

N. D. Morgan, Esq., the President of this institution, is a 
gentleman of fine abilities, with a mind enlightened as well as 
cultivated, one of the quickest to discern the signs of the 
times, original in thought and inventive in practice — the very 
man to break through the crudities of an inceptive state. 

We have before spoken of the registered policies of this 
company, bearing the seal of the State Insurance Department, 
and based upon an accumulating deposit with the State De- 
partment of the matured value of the policy. This enhanced 
security has attracted much attention, not only in the United 
States, but in the oldest life insurance centres of Europe. It 
has been approved by the New York Insurance Superinten- 
dent, and the last session of the New York Legislature enacted 
a law to facilitate its general adoption ' by the life companies 
of the State. 

In taking the most rational view possible of the life busi- 
ness, the North America aims to accord to the policy-holders 
every convenience and advantage consistent with the safety of 
the accumulated capital. — From American Exchange Review, 
July, 1867. 

This deservedly popular corporation, has moved to 229 
Broadway, where, on Saturday last, in • its splendid rooms, a 
reception was given to a host of friends. N. D. Morgan, 
Esq., its respected President, may well feel proud of his con- 
stituency, the solid and honorable men of New York, who 
were present on this occasion. The business of this comparS' 



APPENDIX. (39 

tively new Company is rapidly increasing in all parts of the 
country, and under its new auspices and increased facilities, it 
must immediately take very high rank among the great insti- 
tutions of our city. — Independent, June 6th. 

The North. America Life Insurance Company, having re- 
moved their place of business in the new building, No. 229 
Broadway, corner of Barclay Street, on Saturday last, threw 
open their finely appointed rooms for the inspection of a few 
of their friends. — Journal of Commerce, June 3, 1867. 

The officers and directors of the North America Life In- 
surance Company gave a reception to their friends, yesterday 
afternoon, on the occasion of the opening of their new offices 
at No. 229 Broadway, corner of Barclay Street. A large num- 
ber of ladies and gentlemen, members of the Press, and others, 
availed themselves of the opportunity to inspect the new quar- 
ters of the Company, which embrace the entire first floor of 
the building, and are fitted up and furnished in the most ele- 
gant style. This Company has been one of the most successful 
ever organized in this country, having issued no less than 
10,000 policies during the four years of its existence. Six hun- 
dred policies were issued last month, which indicates an envia- 
ble degree of prosperity. If the company's liberality to its 
policy-holders equals that extended to the guests invited to the 
reception yesterday, it cannot fail to become a popular institu- 
tion, and will enable *the widows and orphans of those who 
patronize it to live off the fat of the land. — New York Times, 
June 2, 1867. 

On Saturday last the officers of the North America Life 
Insurance Company gave a reception to their friends, in the 
elegant and commodious suite of rooms, corner of Broadway 



TO APPENDIX. 

and Barclay Street. The occasion proved a very pleasant one 
to the numerous guests there assembled. This, though a com- 
paratively young Company, is one of the most enterprising in 
this city. During the four years of its existence it has issued 
about 10,500 policies. Its business has been steadily and rap- 
idly augmenting since its organization, and promises to make 
it at no distant day one of the leading companies of the coun- 
try. — Business Mirror. 

The North America Life Insurance Company entertained their 
friends last Saturday, at their new and elegant offices, corner of 
Broadway and Barclay Street. The management of the Com- 
pany has been very successful, and, with their increase of 
business, they have been obliged to secure more commodious 
offices. — Observer. 

The North America Life Insurance Company opened and 
dedicated their new offices to-day, in the new building, at 
229 Broadway. Their rooms are among the most convenient 
and beautiful in the city, and have the advantage of adding 
what is new to what is best arranged for a large and suc- 
cessful business. — Express. 

It is the fruit of excellent management on the part of the 
able President, N. D. Morgan, Esq., its other officers and its 
efficient agents. It stands now in the foremost rank of the 
various Life Insurance Companies, and the confidence with 
which it has from the beginning of its career been regarded is 
daily increasing. Just, fair, and prompt in all its business, 
and offering extremely liberal terms and great advantages to 
insurers, it cannot fail to be as prosperous in the future as it 
has been in the past. — Yonkers Statesman, June 6. 

An act was passed some time ago, by our own State Leg- 
islature, respecting a Company — The North America — which 



APPENDIX. 71 

seems, in a great degree, to assure the desired requisite of 
positive security, by addiug to the usual pledges a Govern- 
ment indorsement. — Round Table. 

Here is the realization of the idea of governmental super- 
vision which it has been supposed to be necessary to perfect 
the guarantee. * * * The North America, in introducing 
the extra assurance, has given fresh proof that all things con- 
ducive to the benefit of its members are congenial to it, as 
it has no interest apart from theirs.— American Exchange and 
Revieiv, Philadelphia. 

The new feature in life insurance which has just been in- 
troduced into the United States can hardly be duly estimated, 
and should receive that attention from our Government which 
the importance of the subject imperatively demands. 

The North America Life Insurance Company, of the City of 
New York, in the execution of the high and solemn trust con- 
fided to it, has introduced a wise, precautionary and parental 
policy, which gives to the assured the utmost security, and 
places the Company upon a solid and permanent basis. — Lon- 
don (Eng.) Advertiser. 

With the almost whole-world form of policy now adopted, 
and with the security arising from its plan of special deposits 
in the Insurance Department, it seems certain that the North 
America Company can now successfully carry its agencies and 
branches, wherever Life Insurance is practicable to the fur- 
thest boundaries of civilization. — Chicago Banking and Insurance 
Chronicle. 

Eor example sake, and we may say for the example of 
comparison and contrast also / we publish this month the new 
form of Life Policy adopted by this Company. It is as nearly 



72 APPENDIX. 

a whole-world universal unconditional policy as can well bo 
framed. This Policy marks an epoch in Life Insurance in 
America. It is a free policy, and when compared with tho 
heap of conditions and restrictions printed in some Life Poli- 
cies, it becomes astonishing. — New York Underwriter. 

This Company was made for this continent and for all tho 
future of this great nation ; and, in making the State of New 
York the trustee of its funds, it has added much to its pre- 
vious claims upon the public confidence. It has already a 
strong hold upon the business men of Pennsylvania. — Philadel- 
phia Inquirer. 

Thus we have established for the first time in the United 
States a governmental supervision of the business of Life In* 
surance, with a State G-overnment acting as Trustees, guaran- 
teeing that each policy and each annuity bond shall be prop- 
erly redeemed when the period of redemption arrives. 

The better the people become acquainted with this new and 
valuable feature of doing the business, the more extensively it 
will be practised. AVe believe this to be the entering wedge, 
which in a brief space of time will revolutionize the practice 
of Life Insurance in the United States, if not throughout the 
world. — United States Insurance Gazette, New York. 

As it will be of interest to the community to know which 
Company offers the greatest advantages, we do not hesitate to 
recommend to public patronage the North America Life Insur- 
ance Company, which presents recommendatory qualities superior 
to any other in the country. — Philadelphia Telegraph. 

The North America Life Insurance Company, in accomplish' 
ing a result so long a desideratum, has a special claim upon 
the confidence of the people. — Philadelphia Bulletin. 



APPENDIX. 73 

At the instance of the North America Life Insurance Com- 
pany, the Government of the State of New York steps in also 
and consents to hold in trust for the insured in the Company 
the reserve on each registered policy, up to the requirements 
of the Carlisle Mortality, at five per cent. In this Company, 
then, it is entirely the fault of the insured themselves if they 
do not have, in addition to the guarantee of the Company, 
that of the Empire State also, that the legally prescribed se- 
curities to the full net value of their policies should always be 
forthcoming when needed. — Hon. Elizur Wright, late Insurance 
Commissioner, State of Massachusetts. 

I think the plan of the North America of issuing registered 
policies will be followed by other Companies, and is destined 
to great popularity and success; and the credit of putting such 
a scheme into practical operation is due to the President of 
this Company. — Hon. William Barnes, Superintendent of the In- 
surance Department, State of New York. 

Albany, N. Y., December 26, 1866. 
[From the Hon. Wm. Barnes, to a Gentleman in Pike, Wyoming 
County, N. Y.] 

Dear Sir. — The deposits of Stocks by the North American 
Life Insurance Co. in this department are for the purpose of 
securing the payment of the Policy, and such deposits are ade- 
quate for the purpose. 

Yery truly, &c, 

William Barnes, Sup. Ins. Dep. N. 7. 



